Dog or cat from Qatar to Serbia: official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Serbia

      Microchip, before the rabies vaccination

      Your pet must be permanently identified with a microchip (or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011). The identification must come before any rabies vaccination (and any antibody test).

      Details and the official words

      “1) животиње треба да буду трајно обележене -микрочип;”

      “тетовираном пре 3. јула 2011. године, а то означавање мора претходити свакој вакцинацији”

   2. VaccinationEntering Serbia

      Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine (at least one antigenic unit per dose, WHO standard) or a recombinant vaccine, given at 12 weeks of age or older. After a first vaccination, wait 21 days before entering Serbia. A booster given after the previous vaccination expired counts as a first vaccination.

      Details and the official words

      “2) да су кућни љубимци вакцинисани против беснила са најмање једном антигенском јединицом по дози (препорука Светске здравствене организације); или рекомбинована вакцина која изражава имунизујући гликопротеин вируса беснила у живом вирусном вектору и да је протекао 21 дан од дана вакцинације, у случају прве вакцинације против беснила;”

      “Период ваљаности вакцинације почиње успостављањем заштитног имунитета, које није краћи од 21 дан од примарне вакцинације”

      “were at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination against rabies”

      “Any revaccination must be considered a primary vaccination if it was not carried out within the period of validity of a previous vaccination.”

   3. Blood testEntering Serbia

      Unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before

      Because your pet comes from a country on neither of Serbia's lists, an authorised vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination for an antibody test at an EU-approved laboratory (at least 0.5 IU/ml). The sample must be taken at least 3 months before the certificate is issued and your pet travels. The test needn't be repeated if later boosters were given on time.

      Details and the official words

      “4) да је кућни љубимац био подвргнут тестирању серума крви на висину титра специфичних неутрализирајућих антитела против вируса беснила, и то са граничним титром од најмање 0,5 IU/ml у лабораторији која је овлашћена од стране Европске уније, најмање 30 дана после вакцинације и три месеца пре изношења, с тим што се тестирање серума крви не мора понављати за животиње које су после претходне титрације биле редовно ревакцинисане у интервалима одређеним у упутству произвођача вакцине;”

      “Тест титрације антитела против беснила мора се обавити на узорку узетом барем 30 дана након датума вакцинације и најмање три месеца пре датума некомерцијалног кретања.”

      “at least 3 months prior to the date of issue of this certificate, proved an antibody titre equal to or greater than 0,5 lU/ml”

   4. PermitLeaving Qatar

      Export permit from the veterinary authority

      The law says exporting animals is prohibited unless the necessary permit was obtained beforehand from the competent veterinary authority. The application states the number and type of animals, the country the animals are going to, the means of transport and the date of shipment.

      Details and the official words

      The pages don't say where to apply for a pet's export permit or how long it takes: ask the Department of Animal Resources.

      “shall be prohibited unless the necessary permit has been previously obtained from the competent veterinary authority.”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. PaperworkQatar and Serbia

      Serbian model health certificate, valid 10 days

      Your pet travels with Serbia's model animal health certificate for non-commercial movement (Annex 7), issued by an authorised vet and endorsed by the competent authority of the country it comes from. It is valid for 10 days from issue until the document and identity check at the border (longer by the length of a sea crossing). Attach certified copies of the identification and vaccination details and, if a test was needed, of the laboratory report.

      Details and the official words

      Examination and health certificate from the supervising veterinarian: A supervising veterinarian competent to issue veterinary certificates examines the animal and gives you a health certificate confirming it is free of infectious disease. It records the number and type of animals, their distinguishing characteristics, the export date and the destination.

      The destination country decides what else its certificate must say and how recent it must be.

      “4) да животињу прати сертификат издат од стране надлежног органа земље из које долази;”

      “да су праћени исправно попуњеним обрасцем уверења (сертификат) из члана 15. став 1. тачка 1) овог правилника, који је издат од стране овлашћеног ветеринара и оверен од надлежног органа одређене земље”

      “This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity checks at the designated”

      “A certified copy of the identification and vaccination details of the animals concerned shall be attached to the certificate.”

      “Animal consignments intended for export shall be tested by a supervising veterinarian competent to issue veterinary certificates in accordance with the provisions of this law.”

      “the exporting person shall be given a veterinary health certificate confirming that the animals are free of infectious disease, and indicating the number, type of animals, the distinguished characteristics regarding the animals”

   2. NoticeLeaving Qatar

      Tell the veterinary authority at least 72 hours before you leave

      The law requires the owner of an animal to inform the competent veterinary authority at least seventy-two hours before the date of exit from Qatar.

      Details and the official words

      “The owners of the animal consignments shall inform the competent veterinary authority at least seventy-two hours before the date of arrival or exit from the country.”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. RouteLeaving Qatar

      Leave through a designated port

      The law names Doha Sea Port, Doha International Airport and Abou Samara land port as the ports animals may leave through (the minister may add others).

      Details and the official words

      “except through the following ports: 1- Doha Sea Port; 2- Doha International Airport; 3- Abou Samara land port;”

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Qatar (dogs).

The trip back asks for 8 steps: more than four months old, rabies vaccination, official veterinary health certificate from the country of origin and import permit from the Department of Animal Resources and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Qatar (cats).

The trip back asks for 8 steps: more than four months old, rabies vaccination, official veterinary health certificate from the country of origin and import permit from the Department of Animal Resources and more.